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That's how 49-year-old Joey Moss -- who has Down Syndrome and who has been an Edmonton Oilers' dressing room attendant for 29 years -- responded when asked what he would say to Wayne Gretzky if he had the chance now.

Stephen Moss, Joey's 45-year-old brother and guardian, says Gretzky positively changed not only Joey's life but that of the Moss family.

It all began when Vickie Moss, Joey's sister, met Gretzky one night in 1981 when she was singing at a local bar.

"Everything blossoms, we have a better life, way better, absolutely magical."

First thing, says Stephen, "He gives my mom a job, in charge of his fan mail."

In 1981, Gretzky had up to 20,000 pieces of mail come in garbage bags ever week.

Sophie Moss had been a widower since 1977; she was "scraping by" with three of her 13 kids still at home.

With the fan mail job, she made extra money to support the family.

Then, in 1984, Joey followed Stephen into the Oilers' locker room as a staff member.

Wayne had previously asked Joey if he was happy at his bottle depot job and Joey answered with his exuberant "YES!"

That aside, Gretzky suggested that Joey try out in the dressing room. Joey was a hit.

Then, at the end of the 1986 Oilers' season, The Great One called up the Edmonton Eskimos' equipment manager, Dwayne Mandrusiak, and asked him if Joey could work with the CFL during training camp.

It might have been Gretzky who opened the door, but it is Joey's tireless work ethic, dedication and love he shares with everyone that keeps him employed by both teams to this day.

If you lived in the Capilano area in the 1980's, you might have even spotted Gretzky playing road hockey with the Moss family.

"Joey was always on Wayne's team; Joey is a right-handed shooter like Kurri. Wayne would set Joey up with his feather passes and he would put it in the net, it was fun," said Stephen.

When Gretzky was traded in 1988, he bought Joey a big-screen TV and a satellite system so Joey could watch his games for the rest of his career.

In 1988, with the money raised by his past golf tournaments, Gretzky then established 'Joey's Home Trust,' managed by the Winnifred Stewart Association.

By 2007, the trust built Joey's Home, a $1.5 million, 12-unit, facility that provides a home for eight assisted living individuals and which has four independent living apartments. The association runs a total of 12 community living homes.

"I have had many dreams and wishes to just have Wayne all alone, to thank him for everything he has done," adds Stephen, his voice cracking.

He wants to tell Gretzky directly: "You made our lives better and stronger, thank you so much."

But, he adds, "I don't think he would want to hear that 'cause he's just ... just Wayne."

tom.braid@sunmedia.ca

@SunTomBraid

Thursday marks the start of the Edmonton Sun's look back at Wayne Gretzky's trade to the L.A. Kings. Join Sun columnist Terry Jones for a live chat at 2 p.m. EST. on Thursday as he kicks off his six-part series commemorating the 25th anniversary of the trade that captivated an entire nation. Then, check back online throughout the day Thursday and pick up Friday's Sun to check out Jones' piece.

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Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss helps life long friend Wayne Gretzky unveil Gretzky's number retirement banner, first up-side-down and then after a good laugh, right-side-up in October 1999 in Edmonton. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Life long friend Wayne Gretzky and Joey Moss pose for a picture in the Edmonton Oilers dressing room in the 1980's. Photo Courtesy Edmonton Oilers.

Joey Moss along with the rest of the locker room and tea's training crew on the cover o the Edmonton Oilers game day magazine in the 1990's. Photo Courtesy Edmonton Oilers.

Then New York Rangers centre Wayne Gretzky stopped outside the Edmonton Oilers dressing room to get his picture taken with his longtime friend and Edmonton Oilers dressing room attendant Joey Moss after practise at the Edmonton Coliseum in 1997. (Tom Braid/Edmonton Sun)

Edmonton Eskimos Joey Moss walks off the field after showing up fully dressed in a game-day uniform after practice at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. AMBER BRACKEN/EDMONTON SUN

AMBER BRACKEN/EDMONTON SUN/QMI A

Edmonton Eskimos Dressing room attendant Joey Moss (right) chats with players during an Edmonton Eskimos practice at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, July 23, 2013. Their next game is against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal on July 25. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Eskimos Dressing room attendant Joey Moss Joey Moss (right) high fives tackle Branden Curry during an Edmonton Eskimos practice at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, July 23, 2013. Their next game is against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal on July 25. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Eskimos Dressing room attendant Joey Moss walks off the field after showing up fully dressed in a game-day uniform after practice at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. AMBER BRACKEN/EDMONTON SUN/QMI AGENCY

AMBER BRACKEN/EDMONTON SUN/QMI A

Edmonton Eskimos Chris Thompson puts his arm around dressing room attendant Joey Moss during the second half of the Edmonton Eskimos CFL football game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Friday, October 5, 2012. The Eskimos won 35-20. CODIE MCLACHLAN/EDMONTON SUN QMI AGENCY

CODIE MCLACHLAN/EDMONTON SUN

Edmonton Eskimos Dressing room attendant Joey Moss (right) chats with offensive lineman Greg Wojt during Edmonton Eskimos training camp at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta on Monday, June 4, 2012. Training camp continues for the next few weeks. The Eskimos first pre-season game is set against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary on June 15. IAN KUCERAK/EDMONTON SUN/QMI AGENCY

IAN KUCERAK/EDMONTON SUN QMI AGENCY

Next to life long friend Wayne Gretzky, Joey Moss' second favourite superstar is wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. Family photo

Aug .26, 1999. Sports agent, Mike Barnett, gets a high five from Oiler lockerroom attendant, Joey Moss, after their group finished the sixteenth hole today at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club during the Reunion "99 golf tournament. Barnett's son, Jesse, is following. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Sept. 22, 2006. Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss swings a hammer at a special presentation event at the ongoing building of "Joey's Home". The new building located at 11127-132 St, will offer much needed assisted- and independant-living options for adults with developmental disabilities. Part of the funds came from The Joey's Home Trust, established by Wayne Gretzky in 1988 as well as the Daytona Homes Annual Joey's Home Trust Golf Tournament. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Sept. 22, 2006. Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss, left and Oilers Joffrey Lupul gives a hand in building "Joey's Home" a new building located at 11127-132 St, offering much needed assisted- and independant-living options for adults with developmental disabilities. Part of the funds came from The Joey's Home Trust, established by Wayne Gretzky in 1988 as well as the Daytona Homes Annual Joey's Home Trust Golf Tournament. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Sept. 21, 2010. Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss gets a head rub as he presents the trophy to team blue at the end of the Joey Moss Cup game at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta on September 21, 2010. Edmonton Sun QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun QMI Agency

May 17, 2007. The Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss (right) poses for a photo with Oilers equipment manager Lyle "Sparky" Kulchisky after accepting an award during the Mayor's Awards, presented by the Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities, during a ceremony at City Hall Thursday afternoon. The Oilers received the award in the category of employer. David Bloom/Edmonton Sun QMI Agency

David Bloom/Edmonton Sun QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun's page one for Oct 2, 1999 Wayne Gretzky's number retired in Edmonton. Joey Moss and Wayne Gretzky unveil the smaller replica that was given to Gretzky. Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Wayne Gretzky, with the help of his long-time and close friend Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss, holds up Gretzky's mini-replica version of the retirement banner at #99's number retirement and banner raising night on Oct. 1, 1999 at the then Skyreach Centre in Edmonton, Alta. (Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun)

Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Sept. 18, 2001. Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss holds the mic up after singing the Canadian anthem during the Edmonton Oilers' Joey Moss Cup pre-season game at Rexall Place in Edmonton on Sunday, September 18, 2011. Codie McLachlan/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Codie McLachlan/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Sept. 18, 2001. Edmonton Oilers Team Blue's Tom Gilbert skates away with the Joey Moss Cup as locker room attendant Joey Moss waves to the crowd at the end of the game during the Edmonton Oilers' pre-season game at Rexall Place in Edmonton on Sept. 18, 2011. Codie McLachlan/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

March 2013. Chris Cain, bottom left, and support worker Lisa Gee, behind, spend some time with Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss and left-winger Ryan Jones at Rexall Place in Edmonton. Gee won a contest and used it as a chance to make Cain's dream of meeting Moss come true. Family Photo.

Family Photo

June 12, 2006. Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss sings the Canadian National Anthem before the start of the game action at Rexall Place before game 4 of the Stanely Cup finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Carolina Hurricanes on June 12, 2006. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Long time Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss looks after the water on the bench during the Edmonton Oilers rookie camp on Monday September 20, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB. (PERRY NELSON/EDMONTON SUN)

Edmonton Oilers' locker room attendant Joey Moss (left) holds the trophy in front of Team Blue Captain Ryan Smyth after they defeated Team White in the Joey Moss Cup game at the Canada Games Arena in Grande Prairie , Alta., on Sunday September 17, 2006. Edmonton Sun/File Photo

Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss arrives for Edmonton Oilers captain Wayne Gretzky and actress Janet Jones' wedding at St. Joseph's Basilica in Edmonton, Alta. on July 16, 1988. The wedding was dubbed "Hockey's Royal Wedding" and the streets outside the church were packed with people and the wedding was broadcast live across Canada. (Edmonton Sun file)

March 31, 2007. Huge fan. Douglas Gaunt gives the thumbs up as Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss signs a picture for him at United Cycle during an in store autograph session and fundraiser. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

August 9, 1986. It was Oh, So Close! When the Edmonton Oilers captain Wayne Gretzky called upon Joey Moss to help him sink a putt on the 18th hole of the Wayne Gretzky Golf Classic yesterday, the Oilers locker room attendant jumped at the chance, the shot just missed. The annual event raised over $45,000 for the Gretzky House for the Handicapped. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

And a one and a two....... Odell Willis and Joey Moss hike up their shorts and dance on the sidelines, during an Edmonton Eskimos practice at Commonwealth Stadium, in Edmonton, Alta., Friday Aug. 30, 2013. David Bloom/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

David Bloom/Edmonton Sun/ QMI Ag

The last exit. The Edmonton Oilers' Ales Hemsky (83) is high-fived by Joey Moss as he leaves the ice after winning the first star of the Oilers' game against the Ottawa Senators during NHL action at Rexall Place, in Edmonton Alta., on Tuesday March 4, 2014. On Wednesday morning Hemsky was traded to the Ottawa Senators the team he helped beat the night before. David Bloom/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

David Bloom/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss helps life long friend Wayne Gretzky unveil Gretzky's number retirement banner, first up-side-down and then after a good laugh, right-side-up in October 1999 in Edmonton. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Locker attendant Joey Moss is given a special birthday ceremony during the first intermission of the NHL game between the Edmonton Oilers and the New Jersey Devils at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Locker room attendant Joey Moss (left) and defensive back Odell Willis pal around after an Edmonton Eskimos practice at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. The team plays the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on Thursday, July 17. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun

Bryan Hall, centre, sings Happy Birthday to Joey Moss, right, between action with the Edmonton Eskimos and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in second half CFL action at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alta. on Saturday, September 14, 2013. The Eskimos won 25-7. Amber Bracken/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Amber Bracken/Edmonton Sun/QMI A

The one and only Joey Moss sings the Canadian National anthem before the start of the 25th Anniversary X-Mas Cup action held in the parking lot at the Ottewell Elementary School 9435- 73 Street in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday, Dec 14, 2013. Proceeds raised from the event go to Joey Moss' Empties to Winn bottle recycling program run by the Winnifred Stewart Association. Tom Braid/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Tom Braid/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agenc

***From Edmonton*** (DIGITAL PHOTO) Edmonton, AB: May 16/06: Edmonton Oilers locker room assistant Joey Moss points out the last sticker added (for the May 14/06 win in San Jose) on the infamous door in the Oilers locker room May 16/06 afternoon. The door is a piece of Oilers history with the white stickers added for every playoff win for every year the Oilers have been in the playoffs! Edmonton Sun Photo by Brendon Dlouhy(DIGITAL PHOTO)
edmonton archive may 17, 2006 Original Filename was OILjoey Processed: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 1:18:04 PM

Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss hands out the trophy to the winning captain of the blue team after winning the Joey Moss camp. A tradition to end the year's training camp in Edmonton. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss hands out the trophy to the winning captain of the blue team after winning the Joey Moss camp. A tradition to end the year's training camp in Edmonton. Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

That's how 49-year-old Joey Moss -- who has
Down Syndrome and who has been an Edmonton
Oilers' dressing room attendant for 29 years --
responded when asked what he would say to Wayne
Gretzky if he had the chance now.

Stephen Moss, Joey's 45-year-old brother and
guardian, says Gretzky positively changed not only
Joey's life but that of the Moss family.

It all began when Vickie Moss, Joey's sister, met
Gretzky one night in 1981 when she was singing at a
local bar.